Category Archives: Volunteer Opportunities

It started as a handful of people collecting 237 pounds of supplies for food-insecure Portlanders from 14 donors in 2012. In 2019, Portland Food Project volunteers collected donations from about 1,500 households that totaled nearly 114,000 pounds of food.

Donors buy one extra grocery item a week, save those for an every-other month collection, then put them in supplied green project bags outside for pick up.

Last year, the pandemic caused a reduction in pick ups that resulted in a drop to nearly 82,500 pounds. But donors increased their financial contributions. And just the first four collections – of six – this year have resulted in more than 95,000 pounds of food.

Peggy Concillo joined the citywide, all-volunteer project five years ago. The Alameda resident and other local neighborhood coordinators collect food from Concordians and residents across the city the second Saturday of each even-numbered month.

The food is divided between 19 Portland area food pantries. Among them are nearby Northeast Emergency Food Pantry, Sharon Community Services and Home Forward at Dekum Court.

The nonprofit organization’s success lies in the neighborhood coordinators, according to Peggy. “They are an amazing bunch of people. They keep the project going.”

They come from all walks of life Peggy joined soon after her retirement as an educator.

“I wanted to do some volunteering, and I knew I wanted to do something different than being in schools. It sounded like a great concept, and it sounded easy,” she said.

“This is a local thing, building your own community and your neighborhood. People feel like they’re having a direct connection, a direct impact in their own community.”

To become a donor or neighborhood coordinator, visit PortlandFoodProject.org. At the same website, financial donations are accepted. In fact, enough money was donated late last year to enable the project to purchase groceries for an extra distribution to pantries in January.

Most coordinators start out as donors, then form their own routes of nearby households, then grow their routes to 15-30 donors.

According to project estimates, coordinators spend four to five hours every other month. That includes reminding their donors when to expect them, picking up the filled green bags from donors’ porches, leaving bags for the next pick up and delivering donations to a drop-off site.

At latest count, 42 other towns across the country have initiated programs modeled after Portland’s. Some of those are in the new hometowns of former Portland Food Project volunteers.

“Our motto serves other areas just as well as Portland,” Peggy explained. “Sharing food, building community.”

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

By Peter Keller | CNA Chair

On my list this month is our continued need for volunteers, the Concordia University poll and coyotes.

Sadly, we have to say goodbye to Sonia Fornoni, CNA Board member and Social Committee chair. Sonia and her family are moving out of state. Sonia has been a major force on the CNA board. She also managed all of the CNA events and the McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room. She will be missed and leaves some big shoes to be filled.

The CNA Board will appoint a new board member and Social Committee chair in the coming months. If you have interest in either or both of these positions, please reach out to me and/or attend the next (virtual) CNA Board meeting. That’s Wednesday, July 7, at 7 p.m. Visit ConcordiaPDX.org/CNAmeetings for sign-on details.

Next on the volunteer opportunity list, we’re recruiting writers for CNews. If you’re interested in writing about your neighbors and reporting everything that makes Concordia, well Concordia, please email CNewsEditor@ConcordiaPDX.org.

We are still looking for a volunteer to help us with our basic IT needs, which include maintaining a busy email system and tuning our website. The hours are minimal, and the results are appreciated. If you’re interested, please let me know at Chair@ConcordiaPDX.org.

Our informal poll asking what you would like to see replace Concordia University received hundreds of responses – mostly for a similar educational system. Results were published on the CNA Facebook page.

Finally, I’d like to put in a plug for our wild K-9 neighbors, aka coyotes. A neighbor wrote to let me know neighbors were expressing concerns on NextDoor.com about people naively feeding coyotes and small pets gone missing.

I see coyotes occasionally and have done a bit of research on them. They are among the wild animals that live here and are an important part of our ecosystem. They eat rodents, among other positive things.

Like any wild animals, people should not feed them or approach them. In fact, if you see a coyote and it doesn’t run away, the Audubon Society recommends waving your arms or making loud noises to scare them away.

It is illegal to relocate or hold a coyote captive. If there are particular individual coyotes that pose threats, the authorities will euthanize them. However, they’ve found that removing them doesn’t work, as they will naturally repopulate by having larger litters.

If you are interested or concerned, I encourage you to read the advice by Portland Audubon.

Native Portlander Peter Keller has lived in Concordia since 1997. He runs a small marketing agency with partner Max, out of their home studio. He loves exploring outdoors with and without his dogs.

By Taylor Nehrling | Concordia neighbor

One of Portland’s many valued attributes is its strong sense of community, commonly expressed through art. That’s the ongoing case at 32nd Avenue and Sumner Street.

A street mural at the intersection pays tribute to Brook Irwin, the neighbor we lost to cancer. This month our community reunites to refresh the Rainbow Dragon that offers joy and whimsical play to those who pass by and memories to us of our neighbor.

As a community, in 2015 we wanted to honor Brook’s life. We thought she would want us to build neighborhood relations. So the intention of this project became twofold: create a memorial and celebrate connection through a community-building event.

We received great help from the Village Builders Convergence (VBC). Community art projects like this one happen all around the city each year in conjunction with the VBC. Its 21-yearold Placemaking Program offers support and education in design logistics, fundraising, city permits and supply discounts.

The VBC is a program of the City Repair Project, a local nonprofit that, in its own words, “fosters thriving, inclusive and sustainable community through the creative reclamation of public space.”

The design for the Rainbow Dragon was inspired by Brook and her interests. According to Jason Horner, Brook’s husband, she taught high school geology, biology and physical science.

“She highly valued education and loved learning,” he added. “I think she would have been a lifelong student given the chance. Teaching science allowed her to combine educating, collaborating, helping people and her love of the outdoors – she was a great rock climber and loved hiking to vistas to see all the wonders of the natural world.”

The Rainbow Dragon is a symbol of our collective healing. It is an art installation that invites interaction with the viewer. Traveling around the rainbow and jumping across the stepping stones brings one in connection with the wonders of living. May your journey be joyful.

We will repaint the Rainbow Dragon Saturday, July 24, from 9 a.m. until we finish. The repainting is long overdue. Like many things that were put on hold due to the pandemic, we are eager to gather again and brighten our neighborhood with color, joy and camaraderie.

Please come and join us in taking advantage of our shared spaces and celebrate our abundance of community. Bring a brush!

For further information about the Rainbow Dragon intersection painting event, contact me at TaylorTracy1975@yahoo.com and/or donate at GoFund.me/82f2947d (Rainbow Dragon repaint)

Taylor Nehrling is a 17-year Concordia resident and a mother and an artist. Taylor is also an alumna of Oregon College of Arts and Crafts, and she is passionate about art as a common language for expression, healing and connection.

By Carrie Wenninger | CNA Media Team

While looking for ways to productively fill her time when the restaurant she worked at closed during the pandemic, nature loving Concordian Sarah Bowell discovered the joys of trash.

That’s trash removal, on her own block and on her own schedule — with supplies provided to her free of charge.

“I saw this interesting program on Instagram that someone posted about. It was so easy to sign up, you just fill out a form, look at a map and choose the block you want to be responsible for.”

The program? Adopt One Block, brainchild of Portland resident and retired tech exec Frank Moscow. The motto? “Serving our community by cleaning up our world one block at a time.”

The organization is new, formed just seven months ago, and Sarah has been involved for two months.

“It’s frustrating to see garbage but now, when I’m out walking the dog, I just bring my bucket. In fact, I want to bring my bucket and grabber when I go out because I’m now more aware of where the trash is.”

Like laundry, trash piles up if you don’t stay on top of it. Adopt One Block empowers individuals to stay on top of a block they love by tidying weekly – or more, whenever the mood strikes – by becoming block ambassadors.

Easy and cost-free, with no driving, no fundraising and no scheduling with a group – it’s just you and your block. “Some people ‘go rogue,’ though,” Sarah shared, which means continuing on past their designated areas and picking up trash along the way.

Basic supplies consist of a five-gallon bucket and trash grabber. Trash bags, gloves and sharps containers are also available on request. “They Amazon-ed supplies to me, and I got my order within 48 hours,” Sarah enthused.

“I typically do my area twice a week, before and after garbage day. It takes about a half hour to fill a bucket. My philosophy is if the area is clean, people are less likely to throw more stuff down.

“I’m surprised at how much joy picking up trash brings me,” she added. “It seems like it would be a chore, but there are so many nice people who are appreciative of what I’m doing, and that keeps me going.”

Ready to adopt your block? Learn more and sign up at AdoptOneBlock.org or Facebook.com/groups/adoptoneblockpdx.

Carrie Wenninger lives on 29th Avenue in Concordia. She is a freelance writer, a mom, a world traveler and a small business marketing consultant. Contact her at WurdGurl@gmail.com.

By Peter Keller | CNA Chair

Hi neighbors. I hope everyone is enjoying the early spring weather. The occasional sun breaks and sporadic rain showers make it hard to figure out how to dress when headed outside.

Like the spring weather, life is unpredictable.

One thing that is predictable is taxes. Yes, that’s one thing we adults all have in common. Whether you don’t like paying them, preparing the forms or don’t agree with where the money goes, chances are more than likely we share a common dread about them.

Taxes are on my mind because I’m taking a break from working on mine to write this column. As a self-employed person, I manage my bookkeeping and prepare everything for my accountant.

Technology has improved the process quite a bit but it still takes time. If you’re like me, you wait until the end of the year to sort it all out. Reminds me of Travis Bickle from “Taxi Driver,” “One of these days I gotta get myself organezized.” He’s a creepy character, but it’s a memorable line and movie.

Obviously some people really enjoy working with numbers and spreadsheets and make careers of this, namely bookkeepers and accountants. I’m sure we have a few living in the neighborhood.

I know bookkeepers and accountants are busy right now, but I hope they see this column because the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) also has to file tax forms. While we have a volunteer treasurer who works very hard to manage our finances, we could use a little help with our taxes and bookkeeping.

Speaking of numbers, we could also use some help with our ones and zeros. CNA had a volunteer IT person, Will Goubert, who managed our modest IT needs for several years. Will is retiring and also retiring from his volunteer IT work. We’d like to thank Will for all of his help over the years.

If you or someone you know has bookkeeping, accounting or IT skills and is interested in volunteering, we would love to hear from you. You can email me directly at Chair@ConcordiaPDX.org.

In other news, we had a great turnout at our March general meeting, where we heard from the city about some of the programs and ongoing planning to address the housing emergency.

We really appreciate the participation and I want to remind neighbors that you are encouraged and welcome to join our monthly meetings (CNA Board of Directors, Land Use & Transportation Committee, Media Team and Finance Committee). Find details about those meetings to the right on this page. Happy Spring!

Native Portlander Peter Keller has lived in Concordia since 1997. He runs a small marketing agency with partner Max, out of their home studio. He loves exploring outdoors with and without his dogs.

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

When things get tight, the dinner table might look a little sparse for some. That’s when members of the community – for whom giving is at the core of their beliefs – step in.

Rachel Schweitzer and her family are northeast Portland residents and attend C3 Church NE PDX in the Cully neighborhood.

Rachel was aware of the food insecurity experienced by many in the community and, with the support of her church and her pastors, Seth and Kaz Brooks, she took on the leadership of C3 Food Pantry in partnership with the Oregon Food Bank.

Rachel grew up as a child of missionary Lutheran parents in Papua, New Guinea. She moved to Portland to study at Concordia University, and she has served in various ministry roles over the years.

According to Rachel, she felt a calling to serve in practical ways in her local community. Although the church is currently not meeting in person because of COVID-19, the food pantry continues to serve the community as an essential service.

The C3 Food Pantry now has drivethrough and pick-up service at 6120 N.E. 57th Ave., the corner of 57th and Portland Highway. It is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m.

Rachel remarked, “If you have a neighbor, friend or family member who needs food assistance, you are welcome to pick up for them.”

Each food box includes fresh produce and milk, and it holds about $100 to $150 worth of groceries.

Groceries are given out to about 150 households per distribution day. Rachel said the need has grown fivefold since the pandemic began. C3 Food Pantry receives donations from Oregon Food Bank and other food pantries, nonprofit agencies, supermarkets and individuals.

If you have any questions, would like to volunteer at or donate to the C3 Food Pantry, visit C3NEPDX.com, contact C3 Food Pantry at 503.997.2003 or Rachel@C3NEPDX.com.

After living east, south, north and west, Marsha Sandman is home at last. And she wants to hear your story. Contact her at MarshaJSandman@gmail.com.

By Carrie Wenninger | CNA Media Team

Gail Levine answered her phone in Austin, having left her Portland home in mid-March to quarantine with her husband in Texas. Her Concordia house is currently occupied by an OHSU pediatric nurse.

They have never met in person but, when she saw this frontline worker’s plea for a place to live that would keep him safely distanced from his family during the COVID-19 emergency, she offered the empty abode without hesitation.

“It just felt like the right thing to do,” she shared. “And it’s working out wonderfully.”

It will come as no surprise, then, to learn that Gail is one of the core group of individuals who formed Positive Charge! PDX, a four-year-old volunteer group open to everyone and dedicated to doing good things and sharing good news.

The group hopes others will follow the example of, as the website states, “Acting locally to amplify loving kindness on a collective scale.”

The organization hosts a wide range of activities on a variety of issues for seniors, hospitalized children, the homeless, foster children, abused women and more.

The largest event to date was the free, citywide Amplify Kindness! PDX gathering in October that featured keynote speaker state Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward.

The focus was on creating tokens of kindness to take home and give away, and Hayward departed the workshop with a haul of painted kindness rocks to distribute back in Salem.

Other projects have included activities such as assembling welcome boxes for foster children through Embrace Oregon, baking and delivering cookies to emergency workers on Christmas Day and crocheting plastic yarn sleeping mats for houseless neighbors.

“People want to do something for their community but don’t know how,” Gail reported. “Positive Charge! gives them the opportunity.”

Group get-togethers and events were still on hold at CNews press time. According to Gail, opportunities still abound to help others and increase your own well-being.

Those include sewing masks, donating funds to local food pantries, painting and displaying your own kindness rocks, writing sidewalk chalk messages, and participating in the 7 p.m. shout-outs to thank essential workers.

Every small act of kindness expands and strengthens the web and makes a difference, she pointed out.

“Most people, I believe, have hearts of gold,” Gail said. “They just need to know what they can do, where to focus their attention and how to be of help.”

Plug in and get more ideas and inspiration at PositiveChargePDX.org.

Carrie Wenninger lives on 29th Avenue in Concordia. She is a freelance writer, a mom, a world traveler and a small business marketing consultant. Contact her at WurdGurl@gmail.com.